Rotary snowplow



Nave 6, 11956 J- J. WRIGHT 2,759,254

ROTARY SNOWPLOW Filed July 8, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jacob James Wright INVENTORJ J. J. WRIGHT Nov. 6, 1956 ROTARY SNOWPLOW 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 8, 1952 V ,g X a /\V\ i my 3% mw Jacob Jame; Wrighf INVENTORS Nov. 6, 1956 J. J. WRIGHT 2,769,254

ROTARY SNOWPLOW Filed July 8, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 WI T Jacob James Wright INVENTORS /I44 I BY Nov. 6, 1956 Q J. J. WRIGHT ROTARY SNOWPLOW 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jacob Jam es Wright INVENTORS I BY nan Wow 3M Filed July 8, 1952 United States Patent ROTARY SNOWPLOW Jacob James Wright, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, assignor of one-half to J. D. Aaron, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada Application July 8, 1952, Serial No. 297,612

1 Claim. (Cl. 37-21) This invention relates in general to snowplows, and more particularly to improvements in rotary snowplows.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved snowplow in the form of a compact and efficient vehicle which is adapted to be pushed in front of a diesel electric railway engine and have the mechanism thereof actuated by motors having their power source in the diesel electric railway engine. I 1

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved rotary snowplow which may be pushed through snow drifts which are much deeper than the capacity of snowplows now in use, said rotary snowplow being provided with a snow hoe for pulling down drifts which are higher than the normal capacity of the snow removal mechanism of the rotary snowplow. I

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved snowplow of a greater capacity than those now in existence, said snowplow being restricted in capacity only by the size of motor means for driving the snow removal means and when utilized for use on railways being of a size to permit not only the clearing of the tracks of the railway but also areas adjacent thereto whereby means whereby the height of a snow drift may be di- ,minished prior to the actual engagement thereof with the snow disposal means.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved snowplow having a mast thereon, said mastbe ing rotatable and pivotal for movement about a vertical axis as well as a horizontal axis, said mast being adapted ,to clear the right-of-way.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved rotary snowplow which is provided with a rotary head adapted to dispose of snow to one side of the snowplow, said rotary head having associated therewith wings for urging snow into the rotary head, said wings being controllable froma control board mounted within the snowplow.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved rotary head which is provided with two sets of blades, the first set of blades being adapted to engage crusted snow and ice for pulverizing the same and feeding the snow or ice rearwardly into the snow disposal unit, a second set of blades adapted to blows the pulverized snow and ice out of a snow outlet, said second set of blades operating on the vacuum principle;v v

A further object of this invention is to. provide'an "ice ' 2 improved rotary snowplow in which all of the mechanism thereof is controllable from a single control panel whereby the snowplow may be operated by a single man.

With these objects definitely in view, this invention resides in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of elements and, portions as will be hereinafter described in detail in the specification, particularly pointed out in the appended claim, and illustratedin the accompanying drawings which form a material part of this application and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the improved snowplow, which is the subject of this invention, the Wings of the snowplow being illustrated in their extended positions and the mast and its associated snow hoe being illustrated in its retracted position;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the snowplow in Figure 1 and shows the general construction of the mast mounted on the upper side thereof, the central part of the rear portion of the snowplow being omitted;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the front portion of the snowplow of Figure 1, the mast and snow hoe being in its extended position forward of the snowplow and in the process of hoeing down the upper portion of a snow bank for feeding the same into the rotary head ofthe snowplow, the snow hoe being illustrated in its lowermost position of a snow bank removal process; I

Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the snowplow of Figure 1 and shows the general construction of the rotary head disposed at the forward end thereof, the mast being illustrated in an elevated position by dotted lines; v V I I Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of the control means for .the various mechanisms for operating the snowplow; Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view taken through the center of the forward portion of the snowplow of Figure l and shows the general construction of the rotary head mounted thereon;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view of the rotary head and its associated cowl, the wing flanges being omitted, a portion of the-pulverizing blades being omitted in order to clearly illustrate the construction of both the pulverizing blades and the blower blades of the rotary head;

Figure 8 is an. enlarged fragmentary front elevational view of a portion of the rotary head showing the general construction of a pulverizer blade, a portion of the outer end of the pulverizer blade being broken away and shown in section in order to clearly illustrate the manner in which it is secured to an outer ring;

Figure 9 is a transverse horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 9-9 of Figure 8 and shows the general outline of the pulverizer blade;

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal plan view of a hydraulic cylinder for operating the wings of the rotary head and the support therefor; and

, Figure 11' is'a perspective view of one of the blower blades.

Similar characters of reference designate similar or identical; elements and portions throughout the specification and throughout the different views of the drawings. i Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated inFigure l the rotary snowplow, which is the subject of this invention, the rotary snowplow being referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The rotary-snowplow 10 includes a vehicle 12 in the form of a special railroad car which is mounted P9 1. apair of trucks 14, the trucks 14 being standard modern railway equipment, for supporting and guiding the same on rails 16. The forward portion of the vehicle 12 includes a compartment for the necessary machinery required for operatinga rotary snow disposal head, which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 18, mounted at the forward end thereof. The remainder of the vehicle 12 is divided into compartments (not shown) to provide store rooms, a workshop and living and sleeping quarters for the crew, there being provided windows in therear portions of the sides of the vehicle 12' for admitting air and sunlight to these compartments.

The rotary head 18 mounted at the forward end of the vehicle 12 includes an enlarged cowl 22 which is generally rectangular in crosssection and is provided with a centrally located circular snow receiving opening 24. In order that snow may be urged into the snow receiving openings 24, the cowl 22 has hingedly connected to the vertical sides thereof by hinges 26 wings 28. During a snow removal operation the wings 28 extend forwardly and outwardly from the cowl 22 and are adapted to cut snow and urge the same into the snow receiving opening 24, the banks formed by the snow removal operation being substantially at an angle of the angle of the forward edge of the wings 28. The lower edge of the cowl 22 isprovided with a bottom wing 36 which extends downwardly and forwardly to urge snow up into the snow receiving opening 24 from the vicinity of the rails 16, the wing 30 being provided with cutouts 32 for permitting portions thereof to be positioned closely adjacent the ground in the vicinity of the rails 16.

Referring now to Figure 6 in particular, it will be seen that the cowl 22 has a funnel-shaped forward portion which acts as a continuation of the wings 28 and 30 and urges snow into the snow receiving openings 24, the forward portion of the cowl diverging inwardly from the rectangular outer edge thereof to the central circular snow receiving opening 24.

Extending through the snow receiving opening 24 concentric therewith is a longitudinally extending drive shaft 34. The drive shaft 34' is supported by a thrust bearing 36 mounted on the frame elements 38 positioned immediately rearwardly of the cowl 22 whereby the drive shaft 34 is rigidly supported for rotation within the bearing 36. The drive shaft 34 is connected by a hydraulic clutch 48 to an aligned drive shaft element 42 which extends rearwardly from the hydraulic clutch and is connected to a power source (not shown) such as an electric or diesel motor.

Mounted at the forward end of the drive shaft 34 and extending outwardly through the snow receiving opening 24 is a first set of blades, which are referred to in general by the reference numeral 44 for digging into crusted snow and ice and urging the same rearwardly into the cowl 22, the first set of blades 44 also pulverizing the snow and ice moved rearwardly thereby. The first set of blades 44 includes a centrally located sleeve 46 which is provided with a pointed end 48 and is mounted on the forward end of the drive shaft 34. The sleeve 46 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots 50 in which are disposed inner ends of rearwardly extending blades. 52. The blades 52 are T- shaped in cross section and are longitudinally curved in a clockwise direction. The outer ends of the blades 52 are connected to an annular ring 54 which is formed of bar stock and is generally rectangular in cross section. The outer ends of the blades 52 are provided with flange portions 56 which overlie the forward face of the annular ring 54 and are removably secured thereto by fasteners 58. It will be understood that the individual blades 52 are identical and interchangeable whereby a damaged blade may be replaced without replacing the entire set of blades 44. It will be noted that the individual blades 52 in addition to' be curved 'in elevation are-also curved in :a rearward direction whereby they are generally helical in outline. The leading edge of pulverizing blade 52 is bevelled as at 60 in order to dig into packed snow.

Carried by the drive shaft 34 rearwardly of the sleeve 46 is a relatively small annular ring 62 which is secured to the drive shaft 34 by a plurality of spokes 64. Also secured to the drive shaft 34, but longitudinally spaced from the annular ring 62 is a circular plate 66, the circular plate 66 being disposed at the rear of the cowl 22 and secured to a hub 68 carried by the drive shaft 34. Extending between and removably secured to the annular ring 62 and the circular plate 66 is a plurality of blower blades 70 which are both longitudinally and laterally curved in addition to being transversely curved. it will be noted that the longitudinal curvature of the blower blades '70 is in a counterclockwise direction and opposite to the direction of longitudinal curvature of the pulverizer blades 52.

Itwill be understood that the capacity of the blower blades 79 is equal to" the capacity of the pulverizer blades 52 in order that the blower blades may handle all of the snow which is moved into the cowl 22 by the pulverizer blades 52. After snow has been moved into the cowl 22 by the pulverizer blades 52, it is drawn into the rear portion of the cowl 22 by the blower blades 70' and then forced out through a tubular outlet 72 carried at the top of the cowl 22 adjacent the rear end thereof.

In order that the discharge of snow from the cowl 22 may be in a predetermined direction, the upper end of the tubular outlet 72 is provided with an outwardly p-rojecting annular flange 74'. Overlying the annular flange 74 is a second annular flange 76 carried at the lower end of a curved discharge nozzle 78. The annular flange 76 is positioned with respect to the annular flange 74 by a plurality of clamps 80 carried thereby, the clamps 80 being provided with locking screws 82.

Referring now to' Figures 1 and 10 in particular, it will be seen that carried by the vehicle 12 on each side sill of the same is a horizontally extending hydraulic cylinder 84 which is supported at its rear end by a plate 86 and at its forward end by a hanger 88. Extending forwardly from the hydraulic cylinder 84 is a piston rod 90 which is connected by a pivot pin 92 to a forked portion 94 of a crosshead 96; The crosshead 96 is supported intermediate its ends by a pair of elongated slide hangers 98 carried by the frame of the vehicle 12.

Carried at each endof each crosshead 96 is a vertically extending plate 100 having a flange 102 at the rear thereof secured to the crosshead 96 by a plurality of fasteners 104. Connected at vertically spaced intervals to the vertical plate 100 by pivot pins 106 are connecting members 108 which are in turn connected by vertical pivot pins 110 to the rear end of hydraulic cylinders 112. Each of the hydraulic cylinders 112 is provided with :a piston rod 114 which is connected at its forward end to a forward edge of one of the wings 28 by a swivel connection 116.

When the piston rods 90 are retracted, the crossheads 96 are moved toward the rear of the vehicle 12 and the wings 28 are moved rearwardly. The retraction of the piston rods 114 causes the wings 28 to move further rearwardly to a position adjacent the sides of the vehicle 12. When the wings 28 are so positioned, the effective Width of the snowplow 10 is greatly reduced.

In normal operation of the snowplow 10, the same is pushed forwardly infront of a diesel electric locomotive (not shown) and receives motor power from the same for driving the drive shaft 34 and the cylinders 84 and 112... After the wings-28 have been moved to their extended positions, the snowplow 10 is moved forwardly into drifts of snow and" the snow is fed into the rotary head 22 for removing the snow from the vicinity of the rails 1-6-. It-will be und'erstoodthat ice;is removed from the rails 16 by a pair of flangers 118 positioned forwardly of the wheels of the trucks 14 whereby the trucks are prevented from being derailed. As the snow drifts become deeper, the force required to push the snow plow 10 into them increases with the result that the maximum pushing power of the diesel electric locomotive will be reached in extremely deep snowdrifts.

In Order that the deep snow drifts will not stall the snow removal operation, there is mounted on the top of the vehicle 12 an elongated mast 120- which is of a trussed construction. The mast 120 is connected at its forward end to a vertical support 122 by a pivot pin 124. The vertical support 122 is carried by a rotary platform 126 which is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. In order that the mast 120 may be elevated, the rotary platform 126 is provided with a hydraulic piston 128 which engages the mast 120 rearwardly of the pivot pin 124. The rear end of the mast 120 is provided with a hoe structure in the form of a snow hoe 130 which will be utilized in a manner to be explained in more detail hereinafter.

It is noted that the vehicle 12 is provided adjacent the forward end thereof with an elevated cab 132 which projects upwardly above the roof of the vehicle 12. The cab 132 may be entered through a door 134 in one side thereof, access to the door 134 being through a ladder 136 mounted on one side of the vehicle. Although specific details of the cab 132 have not been illustrated, it will be understood that if it is so desired the cab 132 may be mounted for vertical movement whereby the same may be lowered in order to clear low bridges, tunnels, et cetera. As is best illustrated in Figure 2, the mast 120 is provided with an enlarged opening 135 adjacent the forward end thereof to provide for the passage of the cab 132 therethrough. In operation, the mast 120 is elevated to a position whereby it clears the cab 132 and then is rotated until it extends forwardly of the vehicle 12. The snow hoe 130 then engages the upper portions of high snow drifts and the vehicle 12 is backed down in order to pull the snow drift into the level of the track. The snowplow 10 is then moved into the snow that has been pulled down and urges the same into the rotary head 18 to remove the same from the rails 16. The process is repeated until the upper portions of the snow drifts are removed and the snow plow 10 is once again in snow of a depth which it can handle.

The mast 120 is not limited to use for pulling down snow banks inasmuch as the snow hoe 130 may have connected thereto cables and hooks for moving debris. It will be understood that during snow storms trees, dead animals, rocks etc. will be deposited upon the rails 16 and the rotary head 18 would be unable to handle the same. When such obstacles are encountered, the mast 130 is moved to a position forward of the snowplow 10 and the foreign matter removed by utilizing the same.

Referring now to Figure in particular, it will be seen that the entire snowplow may be operated from a single control panel 137 mounted in the cab 132. The control panel is connected by a master hydraulic line 138 to a hydraulic pump 140 which is in turn connected by a line 142 to a reservoir 144. It will be understood that the hydraulic pump 140 is powered by a suitable motor driven from energy supplied by the diesel electric locomotive. The control panel is provided with a plurality of control switches 146 which communicate the master hydraulic fluid line 138 with various hydraulic fluid lines which are connected to the actuating means for the snow hoe 130, to the hydraulic clutch 40, to the hydraulic cylinders 112, and the hydraulic cylinder 84. While the piping diagram is more or less schematic, it

clearly illustrates the manner in which the various elements of the snowplow 10 cay be controlled from a single control panel, such as the control panel 137.

In order that the snow hoe may also be utilized for sloping the sides of a deep cut, the vehicle 12 is provided adjacent the rear end thereof on each side with a winch 148 which is driven by an electric motor. The winch 148 is provided with an elongated flexible cable 150 having a hook 152 on the end thereof. The flexible cable 150 is adapted to be connected to the snow hoe 130 for steadying the same when utilized in a side sloping operation.

It will be understood that all of the elements of the snowplow 10 will be made of durable materials having sufficient strength for the job for which the snowplow 10 is designed. It will also be understood that all of the equipment carried by the snowplow 10 will be of the latest design in order that the efiiciency of the operation of the snowplow 10 will be at a maximum. It will also be understood that the snowplow 10 may be converted to be a self-propelled unit in the cases where the railroad is electrified.

Although the snowplow illustrated and described herein has been limited to a snowplow for railway use, it will be understood that the invention is not so limited. If desired the snowplow 10 may have the form of a road vehicle and may be utilized for clearing highways, airports, et cetera and may be either powered by a pushing vehicle or may be self-propelled. However, it will be understood that the principles will be the same and the rotary head will be of the same kind although smaller in size.

The operation of this device will be understood from the foregoing description of the details thereof, taken in connection with the above recited objects and the drawings. Further description would appear to be unnecessary.

Minor modifications of the device, varying in minor details from the embodiment of the device illustrated and described here, may be resorted to without departure from the spirit and scope of this invention, as defined in the appended claim.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new A rotary snowplow comprising a vehicle having mounted at the forward end thereof snow removal means, mechanism carried by said vehicle for actuating said snow removal means, said vehicle being adapted to be motivated by a conventional pusher vehicle, the pusher vehicle providing energy for operating said mechanism, said snow removal means including a rotary head mounted in a cowl, wings hingedly connected to sides of said cowl for urging the entrance of snow into contact with said rotary head in response to forward movement of said vehicle, said wings being positionable by a plunger carried by the under portion of said vehicle, said plunger being connected to a crosshead, each wing being connected to an associated end of the crosshead by a plurality of struts, said struts being in the form of pressure transmitting elements automatically adjustable in length.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 379,441 Bergendahl Mar. 13, 1888 405,300 Caldwell June 18, 1889 436,204 Bergendahl Sept. 9, 1890 1,641,723 Zinn Sept. 6, 1927 1,770,587 Carpenter July 15, 1930 1,817,523 Protzeller Aug. 4, 1931 2,334,323 Gilbert Nov. 16, 1943 2,381,017 Wandscheer Aug. 7, 1945 

